Ralph and the Pixie

‘This could have been avoided,’ he said, quietly. ‘There was no reason for it. You would not hear reason before, but you will return to your seats and do so now.’ He waited for the commotion to die down.

‘Firstly,’ he said, ‘I did not expend soldiers to protect our trade routes because the moment civil war began, hostiles began roaming the countryside at will. In a word, there simply are no trade routes to defend. They no longer exist. We are cut off, and we do not possess the means to make the current state of affairs other than it is.

‘Secondly, as a body, you, the Merchants of Mirrindale, have no political nor legal authority whatsoever. Yet you have taken it upon yourselves to attempt a coup, and for some time now have contrived to undermine my authority where the military is concerned, as has been demonstrated today, in the starkest terms. As well, you have been bullying the more impoverished citizenry of this city, who are protected equally under the Law.

‘Well, now, what am I to do with you? Put the lot of you to the sword? How can I make you understand that your scheming undermines the safety of all concerned, that Mirrindale does not exist solely for your use and benefit, that what you are is a threat to our future, and our future well-being? How can I make you see that the day of the Merchant class is ended? That you have brought this day upon yourselves? That you are, this day, what in truth you have always been; nothing more or less than very average citizens of Elvenkind?’